Crochet is an extremely mindful craft once you really get into it, and I know that it has helped me through some extremely stressful times. So much so that I don’t know how I would have coped through some of lifes curveballs in the past few years if I didn’t have my hook and my yarn to turn to. I’m sure that many of you can relate, especially if you picked it up during covid lockdowns when many of us were put under some extreme situations.

Some of you reading this, and chances are that could be most of you if you’ve come from a search engine, are wondering how you can make crochet more mindful. You were possibly encouraged to crochet because you were told of it’s benefits, but you’re searching for how you can really feel the calm and the therapeutic benefits that it brings. So let me help you.

I’ll begin first by saying that I am not a mindfulness expert. I am a Crochet Mentor who specialises in helping other crocheters find the calm and joy in crochet. Everything that I am going to share here is from my own experience and from observing and teaching hundreds of other crocheters.

To make crochet more mindful you’re going to need to begin with some self assessment to help determine what is not working for you right now. If you think about the times that you sit down to crochet, what is it that is frustrating you or distracting you from your crochet? If you’re not sure, then begin by picking up your hook and yarn and getting curious while you’re crocheting. What thoughts and feelings are coming up for you? What is frustrating or distracting you? What is making you lose focus and not get into the project in front of you? It could be one thing, or it could be many, but having an understanding of what it could be will help you move forward in making it more mindful.

I’ll work through some of what has made time with my hook less mindful for me or my observations or others and how I have worked through it or what I would suggest to do to work through it.

The project is the problem. This could be the case if it is a project that is requiring a lot of concentration or referencing the pattern. It could be one that requires too much counting or there is something that is making you have to stop and start a lot. Maybe there are too many colour changes or the yarn is just really difficult to work with. Or maybe you need to go back and forth to the video tutorial too often.

There is nothing wrong with any of the above, especially if you’re learning or trying something new, but it is a problem if you really want your crochet to calm your mind. You can escape from these by choosing a project that doesn’t require too much concentration, that you could almost do in your sleep. Minimal counting, minimal stopping and starting, minimal colour changes. Even if you’re an advanced crocheter I recommend having a really basic project on the go at all times. One that you can turn to and progress without too much thinking or effort. A simple granny square project is ideal for this. Most of us have made one, especially in the beginning, but then forget the simpleness of it that makes it so calming.

The environment you’re in is the problem. It could be noisy, too hot, too cold, too drafty. Uncomfortable, too distracting. Too many disruptions from your thoughts or your phone pinging. Maybe you’re watching a show with subtitles. Kids or pets might be fighting for your attention.

There are so many ways that the environment could be a problem, and sometimes it is unavoidable. But if you really want some time to make it more mindful, then allow yourself to have that time. You don’t always have to slip it in during other tasks. It is ok to book some time in with yourself to just sit and crochet. What could that be for you? Where could that be for you? For me, I crochet a square every single morning. I have a quiet corner, my project is stored there and I just sit down and get on with crocheting. I’ll often have a meditation going as well which helps me to just further focus, even if that means I’m just tuning it out. My morning crochet is my most mindful time. Maybe you could find a quiet space in the morning too? Or maybe during a break time at work or home during the day. I crochet in the evening too, but this isn’t as mindful for me as the project is usually a new design that needs more of my attention. I also have the tv on and other things distracting me in the evening. But if I am not feeling overly rested before bed then I will spend 5 minutes or so on my own with the tv off before I pack away for the night.

Your mind is the problem. By this I mean that you’re maybe talking to yourself and not allowing yourself the time. You might be thinking about all of the things that you ‘should’ be doing and feeling guilt or shame at not doing them. Those thoughts and feelings are all valid, but if you’re constantly having those thoughts then it is probably also a sign that you need more down time! So let yourself have it.

So which of these resonates most with you? I’ve only covered a few main reasons here, but they’re the reasons that are the most common and the easiest to work around. If you’ve got something that you don’t think is covered, pop it in the comments and myself or someone else reading this blog might be able to help you come to a solution.

If your skill set is something that is letting you down, or you’re wanting an extra reason to prioritise crochet, then consider joining my Hooked on Crochet Club. Everything that I do in there is designed to help you find the joy and mindfulness in crochet.

Seona x